There is growing evidence that there is, indeed, such a link, and if you have either condition, you should pay extra attention to treating the other as well. That’s the conclusion of a “consensus” statement written by leading gum disease specialists and cardiologists published online earlier this year in the American Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Periodontology.

It’s not clear whether vitamin D specifically protects against H1N1, a novel virus, but there’s growing evidence that it does protect against a number of respiratory infections – and that many Americans do not get enough of the vitamin.

Yes, they can reduce some cold symptoms. But don’t expect miracles. And do take these medications – dubbed NSAIDS – judiciously, because they carry significant side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding.

It may, according to a new review published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international nonprofit that analyzes health care information.

The review, which looked at results of two randomized studies of Chinese herbal medicine involving 158 women, suggested that Chinese herbs may provide better relief of pelvic pain and other symptoms than one of the prescription drugs normally used in the West, Danazol.

Not necessarily, but “clown doctors” and video games do help, according to a review published recently online by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international nonprofit that provides up-to-date information on health care research.

Dr. Allan M. Cyna, an anesthesiologist at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, Australia, and his team pooled data from 17 studies involving 1,796 children ages 10 months to 17 years, their parents, or both.

Maybe. Australian researchers combed the literature and found only one study with good enough methodology to evaluate. The team, from the University of Western Australia, published its findings online in the July issue of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international nonprofit that analyzes health care information.